Embalming fluid



Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFEE HILTON IRA JONES, 0FWILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNQR 0F ONE-HALF T0 RAUL H.

BUGHANAN, TRUSTEE FOR THE NATIONAL SELECTED MOBTICIANS 0F WASHING- TON,D. 6., A CORPORATION No Drawing.

This invention relates to an embalming fluid and method of making same.It has been proposed to use as an embalming fluid solutions of sodiumarsenate. While these solutions are excellent embalming agents their usewas discontinued because of their highly poisonous character whichprevented subsequent examination of the body for arsenic poisoning. As aconsequence these solutions are practically prohibited in'many of thejurisdictions.

it was also proposed to'use formaldehyde as the basic ingredient forembalming fluid and it is now almost universally used. However, suchfluids have many disadvantages in that the formaldehyde contentcontinually decreases with age. This deterioration is especially rapidif the fluids are exposed to direct sunlight. The formaldehyde isoxidized to formic acid. Thus substan:

tially allof the formaldehyde fluids after a certain time show anacidreaction.

Formaldehyde is not a powerful germicide, but instead it acts on theprotein of the tissues of the body by uniting with the amino acids muchin the same manner as it does with ammonia, thereby forming compoundswhich are slowly attacked by the germs of decomposition. Consequently itwill be observed that formaldehyde should be regarded as a retardingagent rather than a germicidal agent.

A further disadvantage of the use of formaldehyde resides in the factthat it is a de-- hydrating agent and therefore, tends to causeconstriction of the capillaries. Good drainage is thereby prevented andif a suificient quantity is used for effective purposes, causeshardening of the tissues to such an extent that a very unlifelikecondition results. Since these formaldehyde fluids are always acid inreaction, the use of many modern highly powerful germicides is madeimpossible because of the fact that they can only be used in neutral orslightly alkaline solutions.

()ne reason alkaline embalming fluids are net used is that oxidizationof the formaldehyde' to formic acid is hastened when an al- E'MBALMINGFLUID Application filed September 20, 193th Serial No. 83,392.

kali is present to neutralize the acid as soon as it is formed.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an embalmingfluid and a process for making the same whereby the formaldehydesolution is maintained in. separate bottles from said salt solutions andis only added to suchsolutions just before the fluid is actually used.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an alkalineembalming fluid to which may be added at the time of use a definitequantity of formaldehyde solution sufiicient to comply with certainStates regulations. Since the solution to which the formaldehyde isadded is alkaline, many powerful germicides may be added, such as, forex ample, the sodium salts of tribrombetanaphthol, dichlorthymol,orthophenylphenol, as well as the diand tri-chlor and dian tri-bromorthophenylphenols.

This invention will be best understood froma consideration of thefollowing detailed description; nevertheless, it is to be understoodthat the; invention is not confined to the disclosure, being susceptibleof such changes and modifications which shall define no materialdeparture from the salient features of the invention, as expressed inthe appended claims. The body during life is always alkaline, at leastduring health, the hydrogen ion con centration (pH value) being normally7 .4. This alkalinity constitutes one ofthe recognized defenses of thebody against the germs of decomposition. These germs, as taken from deadhuman bodies, thrive best in a medium with a pH of from 6.8 to 5 or even4.

If the medium is made alkaline to the extent of 7 .4 (the normal for theliving body) the growth of these germs of decomposition is sharplyretarded, and at an akalinity of 8.6 their growth practically ceasesaltogether. These facts show the furthenadvantage in using an alkalineembalming fluid. By

means of it the alkalinity of the body can be restored to that duringlife or even more so. This factalone would tend to prevent decompositioneven thoughno further ger micides were employed.

Gilli Acid and formaldehyde containing fluids have a constricting effectupon the capillaries while alkalies and especially alkaline soapsolutions have a relaxing efi'ect upon the capillaries and make possiblea degree of in the solution about to be described it may be added to theembalming fluid just before the fluid is injected. The quantity of theformaldehyde added depends upon the amount determined by law in theseveral jurisdictions as well as the degree of hardening one desires toproduce.

Glycerin and soap are thoroughly mixed with water and sodium nitrate,sodium oxalate and some Water soluble germicidal salt, such as thesodium salt of orthophenylphenol is added. These compounds are dissolvedin the water, glycerin and soap by stirring. Since the compounds aresoluble in a cold solution it is unnecessary to apply heat. To assist inthe solution of a sodium salt of the germicide added, as much as fourparts of sodium hydroxide (sticks) are added. After the fluid has beencolored to suit, an excess of sodium chloride may be added but is notrequired.

The following formula gives approximate quantities contained in theembalming fluid:

Sodium hydroxide lparts Water parts Glycerin 20 parts Sodium nitrate 5parts Liquid Green soap (U. S. P.) 4parts Sodium salt oforthophenylphenol- 10 parts Sodium oxalate 3 parts Color to suit'aldehyde is varied to conform to the differentconditions that may.arise.

Instead of sodium salt of orthophenylphe- 1101 any one or more of thesodium salts of tri-brombetanaphthol, dichlorthymol, orthophenylphenol,as well as the diand tri-chlor and diand tri-brom orthophenylphenols maybe employed. It will be appreciated that none of the compounds notedabove may be used at all in an acid or even a neutral fluid. Thealkaline fluid practically eliminates the hardening effect of theformaldehyde so that the body when thus treated will be nearly asflexible and yielding as during a s'ronas life. The rigidity of rigormortis is entirely overcome by use of the alkaline fluid. By the use ofsuch powerful germicides. the body may be actually sterilized and keptso. A sterile body in a sterile environment cannot decompose. Perfectsterilization is perfect embalming.

I claim:

1. An embalming fluid comprising an alkaline soap solution and a sodiumsalt of the type of sodium orthophenylphenate.

2. An embalming fluid comprising an alkaline soap solution, glycerin,sodium nitrate, sodium oxalate, a sodium salt of the type of sodiumorthophenylphenate and water.

HILTON IRA JONES.

